Private Tales A Tranquil Interlude

[Konstantin]

The Clay estate in Valenntenia was far from the most illustrious home allotted to any of the Guardians, but it was the coziest. Nestled in a grove of old trees, sprawling with ferns and ivy, with a creek trailing behind it, it was a quiet and secluded place far from the prying eyes of the public. Of course, that didn't mean Konstantin didn't want company, far from it. The peaceful air of the place was hard to resist the draw of, at least for Konstantin Clay, and that was why he'd chosen it. He rarely had time to visit it, of course, but knowing he always had a place to return to, a home within home, was enough.

On the topic of visitors, he'd been expecting one today. A fellow Guardian, no less, one that seemed to be having some trouble in her burgeoning career. As Konstantin sat behind his home in the cold morning air, he watched as dew gathered on the grasses the rolled over the valley before him and listened to the burbling of the creek below. He inhaled the scent of nature and the wafting steam of the cup of tea he held, and exhaled relaxation. How could one not love this place? Hopefully he'd be able to bring a degree of peace to the young Noi's mind as well.

Ah. Presuming she had not gotten lost. That would be less than ideal.

 

[Noi]

It was fun to see the other’s homes. Noi had no home. Just a room. Now that she was a Guardian meant she no longer had that room. It would be occupied by another, isolated from the world and in absolute quiet. Perhaps that person might be the next to take on the stone of silence.

Just in case, Noi touched the glass-like stone that barely seemed to exist even if one stared right at it. She could feel it under her warm palm and could hear the tingles in her head. It was still there. Good. She hadn’t lost it yet. So far she was already succeeding!

She looked down at the parchment in her other hand, crumpled up but still legible. A small map, drawn and written by Somner Nemerov, was her only guide. She had left her deer at Lyra’s. It liked being there with the others. It was good for it, Noi decided, for it to have friends other than her.

Forward she trudged along. Too big pants with a wet and dirty hem and too big tunic providing little warmth. It was a man’s summer tunic, the short sleeves reaching past Noi’s elbows but did little to keep her wrist and hands warm. But onward she must go and onward she went to Kons house!

Marching through the wood, she realized too late she was not on a path. She glanced at the map. Where was she supposed to be? There was a pull, a vibration. Noi closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Yes, she could feel it, Konstantin was waiting for her. Oh and he was just in front of her.

Running now, when Noi emerged behind Konstantinos house, the Guardian of Power shouldn’t have been surprised at all. Noi was never good with directions but she always managed to end up being where she was supposed to be.

Konstantin

 

[Konstantin]

Konstantin smiled warmly as Noi emerged from the woods and into his line of sight. A wanderer she was, but proof of the old saying in that she never seemed to get lost. He waved her over to the wooden porch and would gesture to both a seat and a gently piping tea pot on a small table.

Welcome to my home, Noi. It's a pleasure to have you. I noticed you didn't come from the path. Hopefully your journey here wasn't too taxing.

He signed to the young lady. He'd picked up the practice in the last five years or so, sign language that is, and has found it to be rather fun. Useful, even. Being able to communicate silently and without need of telepathy had its fair share of utilities. The existence of the Guardians of Silence was just the tip of the iceberg.

Konstantin's hands went to work once more, waving the appropriate signals in Noi's unique method of communication.

I'd be more than happy to pour you a cup of tea. Please, make yourself at home, and when you feel ready we can discuss what's been bothering you.